Every week we comb through the news to find employment trends affecting the hospitality industry so you don’t have to. This week’s hospitality in the news topic: the rise of lifestyle hotels (and how to hire for them).
For years, the hospitality industry has been going through a transformation. The days of not prioritizing guest experience are gone, whether you operate a roadside motel in the middle of nowhere or a luxury hotel in a tourist hotspot. Though this change began before the pandemic, consumer sentiment has shifted greatly since then. Guests want to feel like they’re creating memorable experiences with their loved ones, not just finding the easiest and cheapest solution to their lodging needs.
The Rise of Lifestyle Hotels
Because of that, we’ve recently seen lifestyle hotels growing in popularity. The official definition provided by The Boutique & Lifestyle Lodging Association says, “Lifestyle hotels are the next generation of boutique hotels. Driven by the chains, they borrow the best elements of boutiques – small, intimate and modern – and throw in advantages only a chain can offer, like loyalty perks, consistency and economies of scale. As a result, lifestyle hotels are generally more affordable and accessible than boutiques – and soon to be ubiquitous.”
There are several elements that go into crafting a lifestyle hotel that will create return guests. One of them is creating an impressive food and beverage program that compliments the atmosphere of your hotel. Another important element is cultivating trendy shared spaces for guests to enjoy. Though each hotel is different, some common amenities include:
- Shared spaces like libraries, cafés, and lounges.
- More personalized interactions with employees.
- Room layouts that include amenities like a personal gym, mood lighting, white noise devices and various bed set ups.
One of the main elements of a lifestyle hotel is developing an environment that makes the hotel part of the destination and not just a place to sleep. Part of crafting the right ambiance is having a team in place that can help uphold and maintain the vibe you’re looking for.
Hiring Lifestyle Hotel Employees
The hiring process for lifestyle hotel employees may look a little different than hiring the traditional hotel employee. Rather than seeking someone with great technical expertise, you’ll be looking for candidates that have great soft skills and fit in well with your culture. Because lifestyle hotels rely on ambiance and environment, managers will need to hire employees that can seamlessly blend with your culture and the rest of your staff.
Lifestyle hotel employees will also be responsible for interacting with guests and have a huge impact on their overall experience. That’s why soft skills like communication, creativity, and time management are crucial to have when working at a lifestyle hotel.
When hiring employees with the right soft skills, it can take extra time to ensure they have the skills you’re looking for. If you don’t have the time needed to conduct proper recruiting, screening, and interviewing, consider finding a staffing partner like LGC. Our industry experienced recruiters can help you scale your team on a temporary or permanent basis. Contact LGC for a customized staffing plan.
As the hospitality industry continues to transform, more personal and memorable experiences – like the ones lifestyle hotels aim to offer – are becoming the norm. We expect this to be a big trend throughout 2022 and into the next couple of years. Be sure to stay up to date with all the industry news you need to know with the Hospitality in the News series.
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About LGC
Since 2003 LGC has been building connections between businesses with staffing needs and job seekers looking for new opportunities. Our range of solutions include temporary and permanent placements (and everything in between) in a variety of industries. With offices located nationwide, we can tap into a dynamic pool of talented professionals. We have a passion for creating partnerships that last and work hard every day to ensure both clients and candidates reach their employment goals.